Can Writing Things Down Improve Your Wellbeing? with Jamie Pennebaker

Today we're talking to professor James Pennebaker, who is the region's centennial chair of psychology at the University of Texas, an avid researcher, and teacher. Jamie is the originator of expressive writing and has received numerous research and teaching awards and honors for his work. He has published more than 300 articles and has been the author or editor at the 12 books, including Opening Up By Writing It Down How Expressive Writing Improves Health and is emotional pain

In this episode, we discuss the many research-based benefits of expressive writing, why it works, and the best ways to engage in this wellbeing practice at work and at home.

Connect with Jamie Pennebaker: 

• Jamie Pennebaker's Profile

You’ll Learn:

• [02:07] - Jamie explains how he discovered the power of expressive writing and the studies he has conducted over the last thirty years to understand its impact on our wellbeing.
• [05:07] - Jamie details the benefits thousands of studies around the world have now established for expressive writing.
• [07:44] - Jamie shares what the research has found out about why expressive writing can beneficial for so many people.
• [11:48] - Jamie offers some tips on how workplaces and leaders can use expressive writing to help improve people’s wellbeing in organizations.
• [15:30] - Jamie provides practical guidance on the best ways to practice expressive writing.
• [21:00] - Jamie offers some cautions on when and for whom expressive writing is used to try and improve people’s wellbeing.
• [23:49] - Jamie explains how his latest research is looking at how the words we use when we write can also provide insights into our wellbeing.
• [30:20] - Jamie completes the Lightning round.

Your Resources:

• Martin Seligman's Profile
• http://sonjalyubomirsky.com/
• Jamie Pennebaker on Amazon
• MPPW Podcast on Facebook

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for joining me again this week.  If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of this post.

Please leave an honest review for the Making Positive Psychology Work Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated. They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.  And don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. It’s free!

You can also listen to all the episodes of Making Positive Psychology Work streamed directly to your smartphone or iPad through stitcher. No need for downloading or syncing.

Until next time, take care!  Thank you Jamie!